Linux is a computer operating system (OS) like Microsoft Windows, Unix, or Apple OS X. Linux has been widely accepted for use on servers by businesses throughout the world. Even if you are unaware of Linux, the groundbreaking open source operating system, it is likely you on daily basis use open source software. Most e-mail is now routed through Send mail, while most websites are hosted on Apache servers, both open source projects. Open source software is an idea whose time has finally come. For twenty years it has been building momentum in the technical cultures that built the Internet and the World Wide Web. Now it's breaking out into the commercial world, and that's changing the way we all use to think.
Microsoft Corp., who makes its living selling people average operating systems, have a lot to lose if Linux ever got popular with the masses. For this reason they have done everything in their power to warn people that Linux is something that you probably don't want and don't need. But in reality, Linux is just as easily installed and supports just as wide a range of hardware as Microsoft Windows does.
The basic idea behind open source is very straightforward. When programmers can examine, restructure, and alter the source code for a piece of software, the software evolves. People make it better than it was, people become comfortable with it, and people fix flaws. And this can happen at a speed that, if one were used to the slow pace of conventional software development, you would be amazed.
Because of its security, stability and low cost, Linux operating systems are now finding their way to desktop and laptop computers. Contrary to popular belief, a consumer OS should not retail for $300.